Forward-thinking for charities
25 years in the charity sector, and not a shred of hair left - that’s me.
I know what it’s like: big ambitions, tight budgets, constant change, and so much great stuff to get done. That means big decisions. Lots of unknowns. And incredible opportunities to make a difference.
Sometimes, you just need an experienced outsider to bring an new perspective to a difficult challenge or an amazing opportunity. Sometimes that’s about ramping up that fundraising or grantmaking, evaluating impact, or navigating big change, upsides and downsides. Sometimes it’s a full strategy overhaul - or a quick parachute in and out to remove blockages and supercharge your direction. And sometimes it’s a wild card - something new and unexpected, or unique to you.
If you want an expert guide, a trusted partner, an independent thinker, and a voice of reason, let’s book a chat.
I’m also writer, speaker and activist working for a better future for civil society - I cheerlead for charities, push for real social justice, and occasionally call out the nonsense we have to navigate… This is our space, and we know best how to change the world.
Who I Work With
Charities
Many charities and grantmakers need someone with the breadth of knowledge and skills to bring everything together. That’s why I say I’m a sort of nonprofit Swiss-army knife.
For a regional mental health charity, I developed a growth strategy and lined up their income streams for the next 3 years. For Age UK and NHS South West London I led a major evaluation and research of a new integrated care-led community support programme working with 1000s of older people.
For a national sports disability charity I developed a new strategy after their step into the ‘big-league’ after a becoming a Sport England portfolio organisation. For a small local regeneration charity I developed a research-led strategy for a ‘people-powered regeneration’ leading to multi-million pound investment.
I bring a range of tools to problems, but always a creative and independent eye on the main task - getting good stuff done.
Grantmakers and Funders
The best grantmakers see their own value but know they are are not the main event. They look at how best they can help, and then get out of the way. But how can they do that best? And what else can they offer besides money?
For Henry Smith charity, I led the evaluation of 7 years of their major grants programmes to help them modernise and redevelop their offer, to give the charities they fund the best chance of success, and helped them to scope their brand new 5 year strategy. For other funders, I’ve improved and modernised their grantmaking through governance reviews, needs analysis and evidence-led giving, and ROI assessment. Funders work with me because I know both sides of the desk - and what it’s like to be in either grantmaker or grantee shoes. And let’s be honest: grantmakers have more comfortable shoes.
Strategy
Sometimes, I’m a strategy partner: I help you step back, make decisions, and plan what’s next. That’s what I mean by ‘forward-thinking’.
I can offer all the things you need, or just one - facilitation, research, consultation, help with decision-making, and writing - working with you over a period of time to really help you deliver the whole process.
There will be post-its. There will certainly flipcharts. There will be talking, and probably the odd jammie dodger. But there will also real action and a better future.
Research
There’s a tendency for research to mean paying a university to write a paper that nobody reads. Or to do an evaluation that just ticks boxes for a funder. But isn’t it worth doing properly, and creating something that has a real impact? Doesn’t your story deserve to be told? That’s my specialism.
From programme evaluations, to needs assessments, to policy research, to journalism I do thinking that drives real change. I specialise in qualitative approaches that uncover the human stories, and focus on impact that is harder to quantify.
Alongside that, I am a former academic - but I want to change things, not just observe them. That’s why I do socially-engaged research that makes a powerful case for change.
Change
Change can be the best possible thing for your organisation, and the worst possible thing for your sleep patterns.
I can help you plan and manage change better: being pragmatic, getting ahead of events, and making sure your direction is clear. Remember: change isn’t just project management. Change is about people, and communications. We can work together to get that right. A positive vision of the future that gets people excited - not apprehensive.
And that might even help you sleep better.
Income
Charities are businesses. Sorry. I know people keep telling you that your mission is the most important, and not to just ‘follow the money’. Well, that’s fine until it isn’t… But the organisations with the best possible results, are always thinking about mission and money at the same time.
Because, like it or not, part of your mission is to get enough money to do your work.
Underneath all this is my key belief - that we need a fairer society where people have enough resources to live happy lives. For me, fundraising is about working towards that, albeit within the constraints of a systemically unfair and unequal society.
Why work with me ?
I’m energetic, independent, and no-nonsense, and I’ve worked with 50 organisations from £100k to £80m turnovers.
And if it helps, I’m not another post-it wrangling consultant from a big agency who knows nothing about the charity sector.
You can see a wide range of recommendations here.
Let’s have a chat about your work - no obligation or hard sell.
Strategy and communications
Research and evaluation
Income generation and fundraising
Grantmaking and commissioning
Facilitation
Writing and public speaking